Oakworth ease relegation fears as Keighley slip to fourth but six points off top

Oakworth gained a vital five-wicket win at basement boys Low Moor Holy Trinity on Saturday to ease their own relegation fears.

They are now 15 points clear of the ENCO Halifax League First Division relegation zone with five games to go, though second-bottom Great Horton Park Chapel have a game in hand.

Tom Raby (4-27) and Noah Thirkill (4-36) ensured Low Moor were dismissed for 181, as they fell away badly from 148-2.

Oakworth would have been slightly wary at 88-3, but Jake Keslinke's excellent 73 from 55 balls ensured they stormed to victory inside 30 overs of their chase.

Cullingworth are nine points ahead of Oakworth after they lost to Clayton, who are still chasing promotion.

Visiting Cullingworth batted first but staggered from 92-1 to 138 all out, which was never going to be enough, the home side going on to win by six wickets.

With four Premier Division games left, time is running out for second-placed Oxenhope to catch leaders Thornton.

Oxenhope did their bit on Saturday, Liam Witney (4-24) and Ben Howell (3-37) helping dismiss opponents Illingworth St Mary's for just 110.

Opener Alex Baker anchored the chase with 34 not out as his side cruised to a seven-wicket win.

But Thornton won by the same scoreline against Sowerby St Peter's, meaning they maintained their 17-point advantage at the summit.

Keighley suffered a blow in their fight for promotion from Division Two of the Bradford Premier League.

They fell to fourth after losing by 35 runs to new third-placed side Great Preston in a high-scoring game.

That was harsh on Lawkholme Laners all-rounder Gareth Lee, who took 5-65 before carrying his bat for 114 not out.

In an extremely tight division, Bowling Old Lane sit top with 261 points, but Hunslet Nelson (258), Great Preston (257) and Keighley (255) are all right behind them.

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Orijinal haber: https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/26473443.oakworth-boost-relegation-fight-oxenhope-keep-chasing/